Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure that aims to make teeth look brighter and more radiant. The process aims to remove stains, discolouration and yellowing to create a more aesthetically pleasing smile.

Teeth whitening is usually carried out using two main methods:

1. In-office (professional) whitening: This is done at the dentist's office. The dentist applies powerful whitening gels to the teeth and accelerates the whitening process using a special light or laser. This method is suitable for those who want quick results and can often be completed in a single session.

2. Home whitening: This method can be done at home using custom-made trays and whitening gels provided by the dentist. Patients apply the whitening gel to the trays and place them on their teeth for a set period of time. This method takes longer to achieve results and may take several weeks.

Teeth whitening can lighten the natural colour of teeth by a few shades and generally removes external stains caused by factors such as coffee, tea, smoking and ageing. However, teeth whitening may not be effective for all types of stains. It may not work well for internal discolouration caused by factors such as certain medications used during pregnancy (e.g. tetracycline), excessive fluoride intake (fluorosis) or genetic factors. In such cases, alternative treatment options may be considered by the dentist.

Teeth whitening should be carried out under the supervision of a dentist. Common whitening methods used by dentists include light-activated, laser and chemical whitening. The procedure can be supplemented with at-home whitening using custom trays made under the guidance of a dentist. A night guard is made for the patient to wear during sleep, and the whitening agent in the tray provides a slow and controlled bleaching during sleep.

Unprofessional teeth whitening can lead to unwanted side effects such as tooth sensitivity (to cold/hot), irritation of gums and oral tissues, and deterioration of tooth enamel and restorative materials. Without proper guidance from a dentist, home whitening with improperly fitted trays can also lead to TMJ problems.

Teeth whitening is much more effective and straightforward for external causes such as discolouration caused by coffee, tea, smoking and ageing. Research shows that around 96% of patients with these types of stains are satisfied with the results. However, teeth with internal discolouration caused by medication or excessive fluoride may not be as successful. The natural colour of the teeth also plays a role in the success of the whitening process. For example, teeth with a yellow undertone respond better to whitening, while brown teeth may whiten less and grey teeth may not whiten significantly. Teeth whitening does not affect the colour of any fillings or restorations in the mouth.

The duration of the whitening results varies from person to person, but typically lasts between 1 and 3 years. People who consume more coffee, tea and smoke tend to have shorter lasting results, with a 30-40% reduction in colour. Others may have longer lasting results with only 10-20% colour fading. To maintain the whitening effect before teeth return to their original colour, the procedure can be repeated every six months or once a year, ensuring longer-lasting results and providing an economic benefit by reducing the time between subsequent whitening treatments.